SHAFAQNA – Imam Sadeq (AS) heard that a man became famous for his piety. One day, Imam (AS) saw that man with a lot of people gathered round him, and then he separated from people and went on his way, but Imam Sadeq (AS) was watching his actions. After a short while, he stopped in front of a bakery and picked up two loafs of bread without anyone noticing and continued on his way. After a short distance, he picked up two pomegranates from a fruit shop and again continued on his way. After walking a distance, he went to see an ill man and gave him the bread and pomegranates and went on his way. Imam Sadeq (AS) caught up with him and said: Today, I witnessed an amazing act from you and Imam (AS) explained what he saw.

That man said: I guess you are Imam Sadeq (AS)? Imam (AS) replied: Yes. That man said: You are the grandchild of the Prophet (PBUH), but regrettably you do not know anything! Imam Sadeq (AS) asked: What ignorance have you seen from me? That man replied: Do you not know that God said in the Quran that whoever does a good deed, will be rewarded ten times, and whoever commits a sin only that one sin will be registered for him (Ayah 160 of Surah Al-An’aam)!? That is why according to my calculation, I stole two breads and two pomegranates, which in total I committed four sins; and I gave them in the way of God which is equal to forty good deeds. If four sins are deducted from forty good deeds, I will be left with thirty six good deeds, and you do not know about these calculations!

Imam Sadeq (AS) said: May God hasten you death, have you not heard this Ayah of the Quran which says God accepts deeds from righteous people (Ayah 27 of Surah Al-Ma’edah)? You committed four sins and stole people’s properties and you committed four other sins by taking people’s properties without their permission; therefore, you committed eight sins and you have not done any good deeds. Then, Imam Sadeq (AS) told his companions: By these types of false Tafseers (commentaries) and justifications, they mislead themselves and others [1].